By Phil Wade
Indiana Executive Director

On Saturday, October 18th over 50 players participated in the 2016 Preview Showcase at Grand Park in Westfield, IN.  Despite the cold, rainy weather, the players toughed it out showcasing their talents and abilities to the PBR Indiana staff. Below we analyze the outfielders from the event.  

Top  Ranked Outfielder

Jason Hall-Manley, OF, New Palestine HS, 2016: 5-foot-11, 190 pound Junior was 80 from the outfield from a long arm action and max effort.  Possesses a strong athletic frame.  Defensively, showcased good hands with fluid feet.  Plays through the baseball well.  Ran a 6.94-60.  At the plate starts open in an athletic setup.  Load is smooth and uses a short stride.  At times has a  tendency to dive.  Good use of the lower half.  Bat speed is quick with some barrel whip.  Consistently gets to extension.  Showcased pull-side power with fulid rhythm throughout the swing.  Registered an exit velo of 92 mph.  

Best of the Rest (In alphabetical order)

Ben Balogh, OF, Brebeuf HS, 2016: 5-foot-10, 140 pound Junior was 77 from the outfield from a high ¾ slot.  Throws were accurate.  Possesses average hands defensively, with fluid feet.  Exchange is clean, and plays through the ball.  Ran a 7.59-60. At the plate hits from an athletic setup and starts slightly open.  Loads back and uses a short stride.  Average use of the lower half with average balance throughout the swing.  Long path to the baseball.  Line drive type hitter.  Registered an exit velo of 73 mph.  

Austin Begley, OF, Lapel HS, 2016: 5-foot-9, 150 pound Junior was 80 mph from the outfield.  Arm action is long and loose from a high ¾ slot.  Throws were accurate, consistently around the bag.  Ran a 7.22-60.  Offensively, starts balanced with a minimal load.  Stride is short with average use of the lower half.  Good balance throughout.  Bat path is short and level.  Contact type hitter.  Registered an exit velo of 73 mph.  

Blake Chitwood, OF, Roncalli HS, 2016: 5-foot-8, 165 pound Junior was 70 mph from the outfield using a long arm action and high ¾ slot.  Possesses average hands.  Needs to quicken up feet and exchange.  Plays through the baseball well.  Ran a 7.53-60.  At the plate starts balanced with a smooth load.  Uses a slight leg kick for timing.  Gets average use of the lower half and stays balanced throughout.  Level path to the baseball and gets to extension.  Fluid rhythm throughout the swing.  Registered an exit velo of 79 mph.   

Jacob Dickson, OF, Portage HS, 2016: 6-foot-3, 205 pound Junior was 74 from the outfield from a high ¾ slot.  Showcased average hands defensively.  Lacks quick feet.  Plays through the baseball.  Ran a 7.44-60. Offensively, loads back using a short stride.  Gets some use of the lower half with overall good balance throughout the swing.  Bat speed is quick.  Long, level path to the baseball.  Gap to gap power with good rhythm throughout.  Registered an exit velo of 93 mph. 

Austin Guisinger, OF, Franklin Central HS, 2016: 5-foot-11, 165 pound Junior was 75 from the outfield from a short arm action and high ¾ slot.  Throws were accurate.  Showcased average hands with a tendency to stab at the ball.  Exchange is clean and plays through.  Ran a 6.88-60.  Offensively, starts balanced.  Loads back, hands tend to drop.  Slight leg kick for timing.  Bat speed is average with an uphill path to the baseball.  Line drive type hitter.  Registered an exit velo of 87 mph.  

Brett Herndon, OF, Terre Haute North HS, 2016: 6-foot, 170 pound Junior was 88 from the outfield with carry.  Arm is loose and throws from a high ¾ slot.  Showcased athletic actions defensively with fluid feet and a clean exchange.  Plays through the baseball well.  Ran a 6.87-60.  At the plate hits from an athletic setup with wide feet.  Short stride with average use of the lower half.  Showcased above average bat speed.  Bat path is long and on a level swing plane.  Line drive hitter with gap to gap potential.  Registered an exit velo of 88 mph.  

Jake Hurd, OF, Zionsville HS, 2016: 6-foot, 155 pound Junior was 79 mph from the outfield using a long arm action from a high ¾ slot.  Showcased average hands defensively with fluid feet and a clean exchange.  Ran a 7.02-60.  Offensively, hits from a balanced setup with high hands.  Loads back with a short stride.  Possesses quick hand speed with a short, level path to the baseball.  Gets to extension, squaring most balls up.  Registered an exit velo of 83 mph.   

Jacob Hurtubise, OF, Zionsville HS, 2016: 5-foot-10, 145 pound Junior was 86 from the outfield with carry and accuracy.  Showcased average hands in the field with fluid feet and a clean exchange.  Plays through the baseball well.  Good athleticism.   Ran a 6.85-60.  At the plate the LHH starts narrow and open.  Loads back and uses a short stride.  Long, level path to the baseball with fluid rhythm.  Registered an exit velo of 78 mph.   

Nick Perez, OF, Andrean HS, 2016: 6-foot-2, 175 pound Junior was 73 mph from the outfield.  Arm action  is long and throws from a high ¾-3/4 slot with some accuracy.  Showcased average hands defensively with slow feet.  Exchange is clean and plays through the baseball.  Ran a 7.69-60.  At the plate starts with high hands in a balanced setup.  Minimal load with a leg kick.  Showcased average bat speed with a short, level path to the baseball.  Gets to extension with pull-side power.  Registered an exit velo of 86 mph.  

Isaiah Shake, OF, Bloomington South HS, 2016: 6-foot, 160 pound Junior was 79 mph from the outfield.  Arm action is long and loose from a high ¾ slot.  Showcased average hands in the field with quick, fluid feet.  Exchange is clean and plays through the baseball well.  Ran a 6.94-60. Offensively, hits from an athletic setup using a smooth load back.  Stride is short with average use of the lower half.  Showcased average bat speed with a short, level path to the baseball. Finishes one-handed. Hard contact with the ability to hit the gaps. Registered an exit velo of 79 mph.  

Related News

• IN 2016 Preview Showcase: Catchers Analysis10.22.14

• IN 2016 Preview Showcase Results10.20.14